Chapter 97: Secret Mission
Inside the tent, Naruto's words faded, leaving a heavy, suffocating silence.
The prophecy was like a boulder, weighing on everyone's hearts, causing an indescribable sense of unease.
Tsunade's brows were tightly furrowed, her expression as unmoving as a statue. She instinctively looked at Kakashi; their eyes met, but neither spoke.
Shikamaru, standing near Renji, shifted his gaze, a hint of contemplation in his eyes.
'A hand above everyone's head? What did that mean? Control? Manipulation?'
The thought made Shikamaru's heart tremble. 'Does it mean we're already under the control of some invisible force?'
He shook his head, finding the idea absurd.
'But if not, how else could it be explained? An all-dominating hand existing above the Ninja World? Would the owner be Madara?'
But that didn't make sense. Madara was no longer hiding; he had appeared openly. A prophecy wouldn't be about something already known.
Shikamaru's brain raced. Prophecies were elusive. Unless the event truly befell them, they might not understand until it was too late.
A deep sense of unease crept into his heart.
...
Meanwhile, with Danzo's demise, Tsunade resumed her role as Hokage.
The Five Kage Summit, after its chaotic start, was reconvened. This time, the venue was the Land of Lightning, again summoned by the Raikage. As before, Mifune participated as the neutral moderator.
In the Raikage's office, the atmosphere was heavy.
Although Renji and Tsunade departed last, they were the first to arrive, apart from the Raikage.
When the Raikage saw the Flying Thunder God mark Renji had left on his blonde secretary, his face instantly darkened.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +100,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +100,000]
[Chakra (286,776,002 / 400,000,000)]
The Flying Thunder God had left a shadow on him and his brother, and it still hadn't let him go. At this range, if Renji decided to cut his neck, he wouldn't even have time to react.
Soon after, the other Kage arrived.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +100,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +100,000]
[Chakra (286,876,002 / 400,000,000)]
Mei Terumī entered, and Renji noted the cold glint in her eyes as she looked at him. 'She still resents me for killing Ao.'
Thinking of Ao reminded Renji of the Byakugan. He looked at his hands. 'I'm becoming the new Danzo, a collector of eyes.'
He had to return Madara's Rinnegan. Obito was still useful.
"You all made good time," Mifune exclaimed.
Recalling the previous gathering, this summit's atmosphere was clearly much more solemn. And more trustworthy.
'Was it because Danzo was present last time?' Mifune pondered, suppressing a surge of disgust. 'The man is dead. No need to dwell on his mistakes.'
Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, slowly took his seat. "The situation's urgent; we can't waste time."
The ninja claiming to be Madara was lurking, waiting. Ōnoki was old and had witnessed that era. He knew better than anyone how terrifying Madara was, which was why he was so worried.
Ōnoki turned to Tsunade. "However, Lady Tsunade, are you fully recovered?"
Tsunade smiled slightly and nodded.
Ōnoki wasn't finished. "Actually, taking advantage of this rare opportunity to let the younger generation take on important responsibilities... wouldn't that be better?"
'His mouth never stops.'
'People who talk so much,' Renji thought, 'shouldn't have mouths at all. My Idle Transfiguration could certainly help Ōnoki shut up. Permanently. Pity. Now isn't the time... The Fourth War will be the time for settling grievances.'
"I wouldn't talk, you stubborn old fence-sitter," Tsunade smiled back at Ōnoki.
From his appearance, the aged, orange-peel-like Ōnoki could indeed be her grandfather. Though their actual ages weren't far apart, Tsunade took good care of herself.
Ōnoki's mouth was a known quantity. Every time there was a meeting, if he didn't insult someone, he seemed uncomfortable. The other Kage just let him have his verbal fun. It was easier than arguing.
"I am relieved that Lady Tsunade has returned to the Hokage position," Mei Terumī said sincerely.
Perhaps it was the camaraderie between women, but Tsunade's character was indeed impeccable. She was just a bit of a gambler.
"Enough with the pleasantries; let's get this meeting started," Mifune urged.
"First, the jinchūriki. Then enemy intel," Tsunade spoke first. "Our personnel have found a suspected enemy headquarters, but it might just be a trap. We can only continue to gather intelligence."
"We've formed a recon team as well. Let's swap intel fast," the Raikage said.
"Then let's form a joint unit to compile intelligence," Mei proposed.
"That's a good idea. No village gets to sit on intel," Ōnoki agreed. Among the Kage, he had the most cunning mind. He agreed to an allied force, but he also had to protect his village's interests.
"Of course. If each country only considers its own interests now, Akatsuki will get ahead of us," the Raikage said sternly. He considered himself upright. Since he had decided, he would not harbor selfish motives.
The Kage reached a consensus and moved on.
"Most importantly, where should the Jinchuriki be hidden?" Ōnoki looked at the Raikage and the Hokage.
Only the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails had not been captured. Madara had made it clear: he wanted them for the Ten-Tails. They absolutely could not be taken.
"Hide them?" Tsunade's attitude had always been to let Naruto fight. She had never thought of hiding him.
"What's wrong?" her attitude made the Raikage question her.
"Naruto and Killer Bee are major assets. Why bench them?" Tsunade looked at them in confusion.
"All the more reason they can't take the field," Ōnoki said. "The jinchūriki have immense combat power, but this time they cannot participate. Lady Tsunade, you should know that in this war, they are the enemy's main targets. To be safe, they cannot be allowed to fight."
"We're talking about Madara here!" Tsunade argued. "If we bench our best and miss our window, there won't be a second chance!"
"This war is for the Five Great Nations to collectively protect these two," Gaara said. "The Hokage can't act unilaterally; we go with the majority."
Mifune abruptly reminded them, "If the Kage can't reach consensus, we won't win."
Unity was the most important thing.
"Fine." Tsunade reluctantly compromised.
'Just as Gaara said, the minority submits to the majority. Anyway, Naruto would immediately head to the battlefield once he found out. No one could stop him.'
"A hiding place has already been found," the Raikage said. "It's most suitable to hide them somewhere in the Hidden Cloud Village where the Akatsuki have not appeared."
He didn't reveal the specific location.
The negotiations were completed quickly. Mei, Ōnoki, and Gaara were all eager to rush back to their villages to prepare.
Only Tsunade did not leave.
"What is it that you want to discuss privately?" the Raikage asked.
Tsunade stood by the large window, looking out at the Hidden Cloud Village. "I do have a request."
"I heard that your younger brother can completely control the Eight-Tails. I'm hoping he can help Naruto learn to control the Nine-Tails."
Controlling a Tailed Beast was a core village secret. Before Madara, the Raikage would have considered this request a provocation.
But now... he was also very clear. To enhance the Jinchuriki's strength, it was necessary.
Although he had already made up his mind, the Raikage didn't want to let Tsunade have her way so easily.
"Oh, that's rich," the Raikage said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You want me to help Konoha's Jinchuriki master the Nine-Tails? Give your strongest weapon even more power?"
He slammed a hand on the table. "You take me for a fool?"
Tsunade's temper flared. "I know that, but this isn't the time to argue over village interests! Our opponent is Madara. There will be a time when we need their strength, and it will be too late then!"
"Watch your tone," the Raikage boomed. "Is that how you ask for a favor?"
Tsunade forced herself to take a breath. "My apologies," she said through gritted teeth.
The Raikage stared at her for a long moment, then his expression softened slightly. "You're not wrong. I've already factored that in."
This startled Tsunade. "What do you mean?"
"Where I'm sending them isn't just a hideout—it's where I trained with Bee..."
After the Raikage finished explaining, he noticed the Hokage's gaze had become particularly strange. He couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
Tsunade, however, was having a very different thought. 'The Raikage... is he actually cooperating this easily? What's his angle?'
...
Konoha. Hokage Office.
Tsunade was sitting at her desk, tapping her fingers.
'So scary... so scary...' she muttered.
Of course, Renji, as the main body, knew exactly what his clone was thinking. The "scary" part wasn't a crush; it was the sheer unpredictability of the Raikage actually playing ball.
He slapped the clone on the back of her head.
"You're not the real Tsunade. What the hell are you scared of?!"
Tsunade was slapped forward onto the table. She propped herself up, thoughtful. 'You have a point. I'm not the real Tsunade. What am I scared of?'
Who had Renji ever been afraid of? Nobody.
Tsunade threw the matter to the back of her mind.
"Alright, no more delays. Let's immediately arrange to transfer Naruto to the location the Raikage mentioned."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, a detailed plan forming. 'Controlling Naruto is simple. Everything is within my grasp.'
She then dispatched Anbu to summon Naruto.
Not long after, Naruto rushed into the temporary Hokage Office. When he entered, the Anbu vanished, leaving only Tsunade, Renji, and Naruto.
In reality, it was just Renji and Naruto.
Tsunade sat behind the desk, her expression solemn. "Naruto. When Pain attacked, the village witnessed your strength. I have an extremely important S-rank mission to entrust to you..."
Before she finished, Naruto eagerly took the bait.
"An S-rank mission? For me? Seriously?!" Naruto's eyes widened, sparkling with excitement.
To be entrusted with such a high-level mission meant his strength had been fully recognized.
"In the past, missions like this always went to Renji or Kakashi-sensei. But this one's mine!"
As Naruto spoke, he pinched his arm.
"Naruto, this is a mission that only you can accomplish," Tsunade said earnestly.
For Naruto, that phrase was like heavenly music.
"You need to go with Renji to a mysterious place in the Hidden Cloud Village."
Hearing that he would be on an S-rank mission with just Renji... 'This is simply too wonderful!'
His eyes filled with anticipation, eager to embark on the journey.
"As for the specific mission content, once you're there, you follow Renji's lead," Tsunade ordered.
Renji, standing to the side, smiled and nodded slightly at Naruto, then winked.
Seeing this, Naruto grinned happily. His mind was already fantasizing.
'Hmph, this is a perfect opportunity to show Renji my new Sage Mode! He'll definitely be stunned! Maybe he'll even think I'm cooler than Sasuke!'
He didn't notice any logical flaws, his mind filled with the upcoming task.
"Got it! Leave the S-rank to me!" he promised.
...
Inside Renji's apartment.
Naruto "helped" Renji pack, which mostly consisted of getting in the way until Renji told him to go lean by the window.
He leaned on the sill, watching Renji carefully pack his ninja tools.
'This is just like I imagined it,' Naruto thought, a goofy grin on his face. 'On those nights Renji wasn't around... I dreamed of this. He's really back.'
"Let's go."
Renji hung his pouch on his thigh and said to Naruto, who was staring at him with that silly grin.
His eyes carried a hint of disdain. 'He looks like an idiot.'
'Even though he's sixteen, he still can't shake that foolishness. It's almost like his intelligence drops when he's around me. How terrifying.'
The Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning were separated by a vast ocean.
They could go by land, but due to concerns about dangers, they decided to travel by sea.
This meant Renji and Naruto might spend a considerable amount of time on a boat.
As for why they didn't use Flying Thunder God?
The Raikage had refused.
His exact words were: "What, so your Konoha ninja can use my village as their backyard in the future?! Even allies need boundaries!"
Tsunade had no choice but to abandon the plan.
...
Leaving Konoha, they journeyed through lush forests.
When they finally emerged, a hundred-meter-high sheer cliff towered before them. Below it lay the boundless, magnificent blue ocean.
"It's the sea!" Naruto shouted, enthusiastically pointing at the vast ocean.
Renji smiled and nodded. In the anime world, some scenery was too beautiful to be real. The blue ocean seemed endless. As the sun set, its afterglow painted the horizon in dazzling gold.
"That's Konoha's main port," Renji explained. "We'll set sail from there to the Land of Lightning."
However, Naruto was completely immersed in the view, oblivious to what Renji was saying.
'It's so beautiful! And I get to see it with Renji!'
And so, the two stood quietly, gazing at the ocean.
After a short while, Naruto's gaze began to drift. A strange blush appeared on his face. He rubbed his hands together, moving closer to Renji.
"Renji, Renji, what exactly is the secret mission? Can you tell me in advance?!"
He whispered secretly into Renji's ear, "If you tell me now, Granny Tsunade won't know!"
Renji glanced at him, smiling as he firmly refused. "It's a secret—so I can't just tell you."
'And there is no secret mission anyway. My mission is to get Naruto to that island to receive Killer Bee's guidance. If Naruto knew that during wartime, he was the one being protected, he would rush to the battlefield at the first opportunity. Now is not the time for that. He hasn't learned to control the Nine-Tails.'
Naruto persisted.
"I'll fill you in once we hit the island," Renji assured him.
Naruto was appeased.
They arrived at the port. Many boats were moored there.
Naruto saw Renji suddenly stop, so he stopped too.
He followed Renji's gaze and his eyes went wide, reflecting an incredibly luxurious sailboat.
"Whoa, that's insane! That ship's way too fancy!" Naruto exclaimed, his mouth wide open. 'Is this the legendary S-rank mission treatment?'
Just as Naruto was lost in his fantasy, Renji merely glanced at him indifferently. Then, without warning, he reached out, grabbed him by the collar, and dragged him like a small chick towards a lonely, wobbly small boat next to the luxurious one.
"Hey, hey, wait, what's going on?" Naruto looked bewildered.
"We're taking this one," Renji said.
Instantly, Naruto's mood plummeted. "This is… kinda shabby..." He looked at the constantly swaying small boat, his face showing extreme resistance.
Despite his reluctance, Renji effortlessly dragged him on board.
"There's no other way," Renji sighed, comforting the heartbroken Naruto. "This is a secret mission. We can't be high-profile."
A small boat swayed gently on the vast ocean.
Naruto and Renji each held a long wooden oar, rhythmically paddling.
The setting sun cast a thin golden veil over the sea, as if countless tiny diamonds were sparkling.
Naruto, who had been focused on rowing, once again broke into his characteristic bright smile, excitedly shouting, "Haha, y'know what—this isn't bad at all!"
Hearing this, Renji, who was strenuously rowing, paused his movements for a moment. A faint smile also curved his lips.
----
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